“I agree. Gunner told me that he has already made arrangements to take Ellie to a bed-and-breakfast in Fredericksburg. I say we follow their lead next time we want to get away.”
Ari snapped her head toward me and let out a gasp. “Yes! Oh my gosh, what a great idea. We would be away but not really too far away. Brad and Amanda have been doing something like that for a few years now. They go away for a weekend each month. Usually, their parents take the kids for the weekend, and Amanda and Brad lock themselves in the house and fuck like rabbits. Why the rest of us never thought of doing the same thing is beyond me.”
I let out a laugh and nodded my head. “Well, from now on, I’ll make sure we get some us time.”
Ari and I talked about Sweet Dancer most of the way home. Layton Morris had called back, and we made arrangements to have Dancer sent straight to his ranch for his trainer, Lucky, to start working with our new horse. In exchange for the training, Layton wanted to breed a mare with Charmer. It was a win-win situation for both of us.
Ari began jumping around in her seat as I pulled up to the gate. I thought she was going to jump out and push the gate open.
“Oh my God. Has our gate always opened so damn slow?” she asked.
I started down the driveway, and when we pulled around to the barn, our kids were there with my dad and Carol.
Ari’s hands went to her mouth, and she began crying. “They look bigger!”
I laughed and put the truck in park as Ari threw the door open. She jumped out and ran toward the kids.
“Mommy!” Grace yelled. She ran and jumped into Ari’s arms.
Luke stopped just short of Ari, letting her hug and say hello to Grace. I couldn’t be more proud of my son. He was so much like me that it was unreal, but he also had Ari’s caring heart. Ari set Grace down and then held her arms open for Luke. He walked straight into her arms and held on to her as he told her how much he had missed her.
I quickly wiped away the tear from the corner of my eye before the kids turned their attention to me.
Grace’s face lit up when I smiled at her. “Daddy! Daddy!”
I bent down, and she slammed her body so hard into me that I almost fell backward.
“I missed you so much. Please tell me we are getting new horses!” she said.
I laughed and hugged her tightly before letting go. “How does three new horses sound?”
She le
t out a scream and began jumping up and down. I glanced up and saw my son waiting patiently for his turn.
I kissed Grace on the cheek and whispered, “Your mama bought you some new clothes.”
Grace’s mouth dropped open, and then she did a little fist pump before running back to Ari. “Mama, show me my new clothes!”
Ari laughed as she nodded her head, and then she walked toward the truck. I looked back at Luke as he came up to me and put his hand out for me to shake it.
“Dad, I’m really glad y’all are home.”
I shook his hand and then pulled him into a hug. “Me, too, son. Me, too. While the girls go crazy over clothes, how about I take the suitcases into the house, and you go help Bandpa saddle us up a couple of horses? Then, we can go for a ride.”
He nodded his head quickly. “I’d love that!”
I glanced up and saw my dad smiling as Luke took off running to the barn. I walked up, shook my father’s hand, and kissed Carol on the cheek.
“Thanks y’all for bringing them home for us.”
My father smiled as he watched Luke. “That boy is so much like you it’s unreal. You’re going to have your hands full with him, son.”
I turned and watched as Luke jumped and tried to hit the top of the barn door. He was nowhere near close to it, but I gave him props for trying.
“You’re telling me, Dad.”
I took the suitcases into the house, and Carol, Ari, and Grace all made their way to our bedroom to see the outfits Ari had bought for Grace. I rolled my eyes when Grace began gushing over the clothes. She was, for sure, a mini Ari.